I am so thankful God gave me the theme for 2020 while running on the treadmill December 28th, 2019.
Why would I say that?
He usually gives the theme for the year on January 1st of the New Year.
Today I head to a 4 day conference to ring in 2020 and I believe He didn’t want man’s influence (conference speakers) on what He has for my theme…so He gave it to me early.
So here is what I heard while running for 2020 “Fear God and Live.”
When people ask me what to pray for or when I just offer prayer requests…I usually ask for just ONE thing…”to stay close to Jesus.” I am no fool to think I couldn’t “fall away” from Christ. I have zero desire, but I know tracks records of people in the past and want to learn from their mistakes.
I know I am on fire for God…but I don’t take that for granted. His intimacy is my everything. So, if you are reading this, can you stop now and pray for me that I will stay close to Him ALL my days?
Thank you.
I have now added a new prayer request, in addition to staying close to Jesus, I desire to have NO FEAR OF MAN.
If you were able to watch the prophetic dream video I recently had, you will know that I “fell” in the dream when I gave into the fear of man. I lost my voice in the dream. If you haven’t gotten to watch it, I would encourage you to. I believe it is for America, that persecution is coming and we cannot care what people think of us.
Some people might be like “Teresa, YOU have the fear of man?” Well most of it is gone…freedom came in 2002 in the outback of Australia on my DTS where the fear of man’s chains fell off me. (He told me to dance with Him and I eventually did…if you have heard me tell this story.)
I said “most of it is gone.” That maybe 5% left keeps me from fully living out the boldness Jesus desires me to walk in. So that is what 2020 is for.
The theme He gives me each year is usually an area where I can grow.
So, this year’s is “Fear God and live.”
My livelihood is to fear God.
This morning, He wanted me to explore the verses about fearing God.
I read through 43 verses on the fear of God and recorded them in my journal.
But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake when we downplay it. ~Reardon
I didn’t get to all 300 references, but here is some of the fruit of fearing God from the 43 verses I did look at this morning…
The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27 scripture for the year backing the theme)
Jesus’ delight is in the fear of the Lord
Abundant goodness is stored up for those who fear God
We are blessed when we fear God
It prolongs life
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life
The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
The Lord favors those who fear Him
His salvation is near to those who fear Him
It will be well for those who fear God OPENLY (LOVE this)
In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence (one of my faves)
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him. (another fave)
The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil
Fear of the Lord is knowledge, wisdom…and the beginning of wisdom
My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed. So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment—then pass it on to your sons and daughters. Yes, cry out for comprehension and intercede for insight. For if you keep seeking it like a man would seek for sterling silver, searching in hidden places for cherished treasure, then you will discover the fear of the Lord (Prov 2:1-6)
I love when a “then” comes in scripture. The above verses show that all that proceeds the “then” will allow the discovery of the fear the Lord.
People ask “What does it mean to fear God?”
I like to use scripture to define scripture.
If we take Proverbs 2: 1-6, to “fear God” means to
1. Receive His words…that means the WHOLE bible. Or His voice to you that lines up with scripture.
2. Treasure what Lordship means….”treasure His commands”
3. Listen to wisdom
4. Ask for insight…try to understand
5. Seek for it like a treasure and the promise is…you will get understand the fear of the Lord
So, TT’s definition after reading that is the “fear of God” is Lordship.
He is the shot-calla. He trumps er’body and er’thang. He is the writer of my story.
As a baby Christian at 22, “Lordship” meant “don’t date drug dealers.” Now, 19 years later, my understanding of Lordship evolved into something more profound. That’s what happens when you treasure, listen, ask, try and seek…you GROW UP.
The fear of man is a trap. It chains you up.
The fear of God brings life. It sets you free.
Big difference.
I know God is calling me to speak boldly. To speak of what is on His heart unashamedly. The enemy wants to silence me. Our persecution for standing for Biblical truths will either have us shrink or soar. I’ll choose the latter.
The church in Acts MULTIPLIED because it walked in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31) That is my heart for revival in America. May I walk, in 2020 in complete fear of God in Jesus’ name.
Persecution and multiplication happened at the same time.
Nik Ripken says in the book Insanity of Obedience “the ultimate goal of persecution is to silence witness.”
They tried that in the Book of Acts. Like “Hey, you can teach about Jesus anymore.” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) This was Peter who used to have fear of man, now filled with the Holy Spirit, and can’t shut up.
That’s my goal for 2020…pray I will not shut up.
I resonate with Jeremiah in saying “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in His name, His word BURNS IN MY HEART like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9)
Some quotes of people before us, that I want to take into 2020 is:
“Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent
about things that matter.”
~ MLK, Jr
“The remarkable thing about God
is that when you fear God,
you fear nothing else,
whereas if you do not fear God,
you fear everything else.”
~
“We fear men so much,
because we fear God so little.”
I always look forward to a year with anticipation, as I have no idea how God will make me experience the themes He gives me.
I hope you, reading this, come into 20/20 with a clear vision. Ask Him.
He wants to show you where to focus your gaze.
